Venetian blind rack



Aug. 22, 1961 J. A. lORl VENETIAN BLIND RACK Filed Aug. 21, 1957 INVENTOR FIGQ1 JAMES A. IORI BY g 73 Q ATTORNEY United States Patent ,O

2,996,747 VENETIAN BLEQD RACK James A. Iori, 14 Baker St., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Filed Aug. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 679,469 1 Claim. (Cl. -268) This invention relates to a Venetian blind rack and more particularly to a device for supporting a Venetian blind during cleaning, repairing, or other operations and which is easily collapsible to a portable package for storage in a small space.

Briefly stated, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of U-shaped frames having substantially right angled bends and being pivotally coupled at their open ends to each other, a pair of removably secured braces attached to the closed end of one of the U-shaped frames to hold the latter in an upright position, a pair of latches, one for each pivotal connection, for securing the U-shaped frames in an extended position with the enclosed sides in opposition to each other, and a pair of pivotally supported hangers at the end of the other U- shaped frame for supporting a Venetian blind when the hangers are projected from the plane of the U-shaped frames.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved Venetian blind rack.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved portable Venetian blind rack.

It is another object of this invention to provide an hm proved Venetian blind supporting device which is collapsible to a small package for convenient movement and storage.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved Venetian blind supporting device having a frame of rectangular shape with a pair of sides movable with respect to each other at pivotal connections between their ends, a base support releasably attached to said frame for holding the connected portion of the latter in an upright position, hanger members attached to the upper portion of the frame opposite the portion connected to the base support for holding the Venetian blind, and latches at each pivotal connection on the frame for holding the latter pair of sides extended from each other.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved Venetian blind hanger having a bar, a support releasably attached to the bar for supporting the latter in a horizontal position when attached thereto, a first pair of members, each attached to a respective one on the ends of the bar and perpendicular thereto, a second pair of members, each pivotally coupled to a respective one of the first pair of members, a cross bar connected to the other ends of the second pair of members, a pair of latches, one for each corresponding pivotally coupled member for bold ing the same in an extended position, and a hanger pivotally connected to the cross bar for extension therefrom to support a Venetian blind.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the best mode that has been contemplated of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device in the operative position showing a phantom Venetian blind in a supported position.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device folded into a package.

In FIGURE 1, there is shown a U-shaped frame 10, which comprises a horizontal member 12 and a pair of vertical members 14 and 16, each attached to an end of 2,996,747. Patented Aug. 22, 1961;

the member 12. A member 18 is connected from a point between the ends of the member 16 to a similar point on the member 14 to lend rigidity to the frame 10 and to provide another function to be explained hereafter. A frame 20 comprises a pair of members 22 and 24- shown in a vertical position, each member pivotally coupled at an end to a respective one of the members 16 and 18 at the ends of the latter members opposite the member 12. A cross-bar 26 is connected at a point between the other ends of the members 22 and 24 at substantially right angles with the latter members. A member 28 is connected at a point between the ends of the member 22 to a similar point on the member 24 for retaining the members 22 and 24 in a perpendicular relationship with the cross-bar 26.

A pair of latches 32 and 34 are pivotally connected to a respective one of the members 14 and 16 at points near the junctions of the members 14 and 22 and the junctions of the members 16 and 24. An opening or slot in the member 32 is arranged to embrace a pin 36 fixed to the member 22 when the members 14 and 22 are in the position shown in FIGURE 1 and the member 32 is pivoted counter-clockwise. Similarly, an opening in the member 34 receives a pin 38 fixed to the member 24.

A member 42 is releasably attached to the member 14 by screws to hold the latter in the upright position as shown in FIGURE 1. In like manner, a member 44 is attached to the member 16. A pair of clasps 48 are connected to each side of the member 12 and are arranged so that the width of their gaws is less than the combined widths of the members 42 and 44 to embrace the latter members in the manner shown in FIGURE 2.

A pair of brackets or hangers 52 and 54 are pivotally connected tothe top of the member 26 and have a projecting portion extending upwardly for supporting a Venetian blind as shown in FIGURE 1.

In FIGURE 2, the device is shown in a folded configuration for convenient movement and storage as previously described. After the blind has been removed, the hangers 52 and 54 are pivoted from the extended position shown in FIGURE 1 to positions parallel with the member 26 as shown in FIGURE 2. Then, the members 42 and 44 are detached from the frame 10 and are placed in side-by-side relationship within the clasps 48 and 50. Lastly, the latches 32 and 34 are pivoted away from the pins 36 and 38 as shown in FIGURE 1 to the positions shown in FIGURE 2. It is pointed out that the frame 20 engages the member 18 to prevent further counter-clockwise movement of the former.

The package thus formed as described above and illustrated in FIGURE 2 may be carried easily and stored for further use in a utility closet or other like area without using excessive space. Furthermore, all elements of the device are securely contained within the package and the loss of components is prevented.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental and novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be under- Stood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claim.

I claim:

A Venetian blind rack comprising a frame including a pair of bars, each having a pivotal connection between the ends dividing said bars into first and second elements, said elements arranged to be adjacent each other in one position and fully extended from each other in another position, a pair of clasps, each arranged to look a one of said bars in the extended position, a first elongated member connected between an end of one of said bars and an end of the other of said bars, a second elongated member connected between the other end of one of said 5 bars and the other end of the other of said bars; a pair Of base members releasably attached to an end of said frame for maintaining said first elements in a vertical position; and a pair of hangers pivotally attached to the other end of said frame for holding a Venetian blind adjacent 10 said frame.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Hauenstein Feb. 24, 1925 Morris Mar. 11, 1952 Kerr June 3, 1952 Madsen Sept. 7, 1958 Burns Mar. 3, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 21, 1934 

